uptake

American  

[uhp-teyk] / ˈʌpˌteɪk /

noun

1. apprehension; understanding or comprehension; mental grasp.

   quick on the uptake.

2. an act or instance of taking up; a lifting.

   the uptake of fertilizer by machines.

3. Also called take-up.  Machinery. a pipe or passage leading upward from below, as for conducting smoke or a current of air.

4. Physiology. absorption.

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uptake British  

/ ˈʌpˌteɪk /

noun

1. a pipe, shaft, etc, that is used to convey smoke or gases, esp one that connects a furnace to a chimney

2. mining another term for upcast

3. taking up or lifting up

4. the act of accepting or taking up something on offer or available

5. informal quick to understand or learn

6. informal slow to understand or learn

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uptake Idioms  

1. see on the uptake.

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Etymology

Origin of uptake

1810–20; up- + take; compare take-up

Example Sentences

Updates on the early uptake of recently launched drugs Blenrep and Exdensur as well as the HIV strategy will be in focus, UBS says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

"We have also checked with our staff working in other areas to see if they can do additional work in the area where this family lives, but with no uptake yet."

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The results showed that microwave frying led to quicker moisture loss, reduced cooking times, and lower oil uptake overall.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

But currently "no one is buying", he added, saying one underwriter reported to him less than one-percent uptake for Hormuz-related policies.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Ned repeated, a little slow on the uptake.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Related Words

• awareness
• grasp
• insight
• intelligence
• judgment
• knowledge
• perception
• realization
• recognition
• sense